The members of the “Seybert Commission” were extremely eager to obtain sittings with Mrs. Kane, and were successful at an early stage of their studies in doing so. Mr. Horace Howard Furness of Philadelphia was acting chairman of the Commission a good part of the time, and as such he wrote to Mrs. Kane in the following very urgent manner:
“222 West Washington Square.
“Dear Mrs. Kane:
“I wrote to you some ten days ago, but, since I have not heard from you, fear that my letter has miscarried, and will therefore repeat it.
“I am anxious, very anxious, that the ‘Seybert Commission,’ of which I am the chairman, should have an opportunity of investigating the ‘Rappings.’ Will you, therefore, appoint some day and hour, at your earliest convenience, when I can visit you in New York and make arrangements with you personally?
“I sincerely trust that your summer has been healthful and peaceful, and beg to subscribe myself
“Yours respectfully,
“Horace Howard Furness.
“22nd October, 1884.”
Mrs. Kane became the guest of Mr. Furness at his house, and there produced the “rappings” at two séances which were full of important significance.
The first was on the 5th of November, 1884, in the evening. The company consisted of Dr. William Pepper and his wife, Dr. Joseph Leidy, Dr. George A. Koeing, Prof. Robert Ellis Thompson, Mr. Horace Howard Furness, Mr. George S. Fullerton, Mr. Coleman Sellers, all, excepting the lady, members of the Commission, and Mr. George S. Pepper, Miss Logan, and the “medium.” All seated themselves around an open dining-table, Mrs. Kane at one end and Mr. Sellers at the other. The report of the Commission says:
“The medium sat with her feet partly under the table, and consequently concealed from most of those present—her feet were hidden also by her dress.”